defense spending should be cut. i think the democrats are -- there's less pressure on democrats to give away the store here. >> didn't the president, when he tried that deal with john boehner, he didn't he agree to significant cuts in medicare? >> yeah, he did. they were almost there once before. and there are different stories about who moves a goal post in that negotiation, but i would argue. if i were the president and i were going to van, i would say, look, this president has an opportunity right now to shape the future of american budgets, the blueprint for the american economy, and for american spending priorities for a decade to come. in this particular deal. and so if i were the president, i would say, look, it's not going to be perfect, but we really do have an opportunity here, and i have an opportunity as president of the united states to lead this country into fiscal solvency again. if each side -- we can't get what's perfect. >> but let me speak up for van. >> hold on a second, i want ross to wrap it up